Duchy Preschool And Playgroup

Inspection of Duchy Preschool And Playgroup Millway, Bradninch, Exeter EX5 4NL

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Overall effectiveness Good

The quality of education Good Behaviour and attitudes Good Personal development Good Leadership and management Good Overall effectiveness at previous inspection Requires improvement

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The provision is good

Children are happy and enjoy their time at this welcoming and nurturing pre- school. They build warm and positive relationships with staff and each other. Children are keen to take part in a range of interesting and challenging activities which are carefully planned to meet their individual learning needs. Staff are well qualified and experienced. They closely observe children and monitor their progress effectively.

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The provision is good

Since the last inspection, new managers have been employed and support for staff's professional development has increased. As a result, improvements have been made to the curriculum and to the teaching practice. Many parents report that the pre-school is much better. Staff have high expectations for all children, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND). Staff provide excellent support for children to help them manage their own feelings and behaviour. Children show that they understand why they should be kind to others and how to play safely together. Managers and staff work very well together. They have daily meetings to share ideas and discuss what has been successful and where changes can be made.

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The provision is good

The experienced and highly skilled trustees are committed and passionate to build upon the quality of service the pre-school offers. They work closely with the staff team to provide a clear vision for the pre-school's continued development.

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need to do better?

n Staff recognise the importance for children to hear more words to improve their language and communication skills. Staff read books with great expression. Children enthusiastically join in with repeated rhyming phrases. They confidently answer questions about the story to show that they understand what happened and why. n Staff know children very well. They consider what children can do and what they should learn next. Staff think about the best ways to set out the resources and activities to promote children's interest and engagement. For example, children show fascination as they touch and smell leaves, acorns and chestnuts in the play trays. They explore to see what happens when they push them into the play dough. n Children like to sit down with their friends to sing songs. However, sometimes staff do not make best use of group times to ensure children are fully engaged and learning new skills. Some children become distracted and lose interest.

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need to do better?

n Children enjoy playing outside and developing their physical skills. For example, they enthusiastically brush the glitter-infused sand across the ground, recognising the different shapes made by the dry mixture on the wet ground.

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need to do better?

23 September 2019 However, there are fewer opportunities for them to develop a wide range of skills. Staff have identified the need to develop the curriculum to support children who prefer to learn outdoors. n There are very good links with other professionals who regularly visit to provide specialist support. For example, staff keenly use the additional resources provided by speech and language therapists. As a result, children with SEND have many opportunities to develop their communication skills. n Staff have attended specialised training and demonstrate excellent practice to promote children's emotional well-being and to develop resilience. n Children who speak English as an additional language receive excellent support to settle in. They respond happily to staff's smiles and show that they feel confident to try out new experiences. Staff seek the help of a translator to share information with parents, when required.

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need to do better?

n Trustees and staff are committed to build more links with the local community. There is a shared focus to raise the profile of the pre-school within the town and local towns. They are proud of their successful fundraising events and partnerships with the mayor and local council. n Staff warmly welcome older children before and after their school day. Staff find out what they would like to do and provide a very good range of activities. Children are involved in the decisions about what food to have. For example, they enjoy choosing from the different fillings for their tortilla wraps. There is laughter as children tell staff about what they did at school. n There are very effective partnerships with parents. Parents feel welcomed and involved in their child's learning. They speak highly about the kind and supportive staff team.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

All staff attend safeguarding training. They have a clear understanding of how to identify children who may be vulnerable to abuse or neglect. Staff understand how to report any concerns about a child's welfare. Experienced trustees provide extra professional guidance and discuss practice, when required. Robust recruitment procedures help to ensure that staff are suitable. Staff complete regular risk assessments to identify and quickly act on any potential hazards or risks.

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should:

n review the planning and teaching for group times to ensure all children are fully engaged and learning new skills n continue to develop the outside areas to provide a wider range of activities to meet learning needs of all children, particularly those who prefer to be outdoors.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY536236 Local authority Devon Inspection number 10081866 Type of provision Childcare on non-domestic premises

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Registers

Early Years Register, Compulsory Childcare Register, Voluntary Childcare Register Day care type Sessional day care Age range of children 2 to 10 Total number of places 30 Number of children on roll 59 Name of registered person Duchy Preschool And Playgroup CIO

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reference number

Telephone number 01392881975 Date of previous inspection 9 October 2018

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Information about this early years setting

Duchy Preschool and Playgroup re-registered in 2016 and is managed by a group of volunteer trustees. The pre-school is open Monday to Thursday from 7.45am until 6pm, during term time. It receives funding to provide free education for children aged two, three and four years. The pre-school employs 12 staff, seven of whom hold appropriate qualifications at level 3 or above.

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Inspection activities

n The inspector had a tour of all areas of the pre-school. n A joint observation was carried out by the inspector and the manager. n The inspector held discussions with staff and children at appropriate times during the inspection. n Meetings were held with the managers and trustees. n The inspector looked at a range of documents, including evidence of staff suitability and training. n The inspector spoke to parents and took account of their views and written feedback provided.

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Inspection activities

23 September 2019 We carried out this inspection under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 on the quality and standards of provision that is registered on the Early Years Register. The registered person must ensure that this provision complies with the statutory framework for children's learning, development and care, known as the early years foundation stage.

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Inspection activities

23 September 2019 regulates and inspects to achieve excellence in the care of children and young people, and in education and skills for learners of all ages. It regulates and inspects childcare and children's social care, and inspects the Children and Family Court Advisory and Support Service (Cafcass), schools, colleges, initial teacher training, further education and skills, adult and community learning, and education and training in prisons and other secure establishments. It assesses council children's services, and inspects services for looked after children, safeguarding and child protection.

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Inspection activities

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Inspection activities

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Inspection activities

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Inspection activities

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